that sent tingles up Andrewâs spine. He loved to watch her when she laughed. The mirth began around her mouth and ended in her eyes, and he knew it was for him alone. Wanting to savor the moment, he poured the wine slowly while Sara settled herself against a mound of cushions in front of the fire. He handed her a glass and sat down beside her. âA toast. How about toââ
âOur happiness,â Sara said, extending her glass. Her eyes were glowing, full of desire as she met Andrewâs gaze.
It was Andrew who looked away first. âTell me, what did you want to talk about?â
Sara placed her goblet on the raised hearth. âIâve been thinking that Lorrie is spending too much time with Davey. What do you think?â
Andrewâs mind raced back in time. He frowned. âYou may be right. We canât allow her to intrude into our lives and Daveyâs affections. I wish youâd mentioned it sooner, Sara. How long has this been troubling you?â
âA while. I wasnât certain I should say anything. Not until I saw the way Davey looked at that ridiculous Dalmatian watch, and noticed the way heâs beginning to use slang words. Lorrieâs responsible for that, I think. After this camping trip, we should have a talk with her. And,â she held up a warning hand, âwe have to be prepared for some hysterics.â
Sara brushed the hair back from Andrewâs forehead. Her touch was cool, confident and soothing. Beneath her fingers, his brow wrinkled in a frown at the thought of the inevitable confrontation with his sister-in-law. He knew that she loved Davey almost to a fault. That was the problem: Sara found fault with that love. How like Sara to put Daveyâs welfare above her love for her sisterâher only living relative. Andrew was glad Sara would deal with the unpleasantness herself. She would handle it just the way she handled every situation he found disturbing or distasteful. He trusted her judgmentâshe always did the right thing at the right time. Still, Andrew really liked Lorrie and he knew Davey loved her. An unsettling sensation grew in the pit of his stomach. âWe must think of Davey first . . .â he began, half-developed contradictions forming in his mind. He had never been any good at personal relationships. He was really only comfortable with the undeniable truths of the laws of physics and higher calculus that he taught at Montclair College. And, of course, with Sara.
âYes,â Sara smiled warmly, âDavey must come first.â
âThe little guy is really excited about the camping trip. I think it will be a good experience for him. Since Lorrie is a doctor, we can leave for Florida without worrying about him. I meant to go up to his room this afternoon and set up his train tracks for him, but I got involved with something else and never got around to it. Iâll have some free time when all this trial business is over, Iâll be able to do it then.â Reaching for Saraâs hand, he asked, âWant to sit in with the grand old master of locomotives when he does his thing?â
âIâd love to,â Sara assured him, pleased that Andrew always included her in his plans. âI was thinking of taking some time off myself, a day or so at least, and taking Davey to the apple orchard. We could watch them bake pies and buy some to bring home. Davey does love apple pie.â
Andrew frowned. âI thought you were going to take him a couple of weeks ago. Didnât you?â
Sara laughed ruefully. âUnfortunately, no. Something came up and I couldnât make it.â
âWas he disappointed?â
âNo, not that I could see.â Sara sipped at her drink, eyeing her husband over the rim of the glass.
âOkay. Next thing we have to talk about is our trip tomorrow. Nervous?â
âNo,â she answered flatly.
âI wish we didnât have to go through with